What should I do?? Nursing school dilema!

Bumashes, MSN, APRN, NP · Apr 20, 2006

Here in South MS, my community college has an ADN program. For any degree program other than nursing, it costs about $750 per semester for regular full-time students. However, nursing students have to pay all kinds of extra fees and expenses, totalling about $1400 or so per semester (this includes tuition, drug testing, stethoscope, nurse testing fees, uniform, shoes, Liability Insurance, etc.) So, the total is around $5600, give or take a couple of hundred. We can take our academic courses along with our nursing courses to save time and money (ENG, PSY, A/P, etc.) I say this because I know some places won't let you in until you're done with all of your academics.

If you're going straight through for four years for your BSN at the university (USM), it costs around about $2500 per semester (probably a little more, I don't go there, so I'm no expert on their costs). So, if you take your first two years of prereqs at the community college at $750 per semester, then go to USM for $2500 per semester, you're looking at a total of $13000. It could be even more if you decide to take your prereqs at USM instead of the community college.

Hope this gives a little info.

Oh yeah, IMO, if you can afford it and just can't wait, then go ahead to the more expensive one. I know how much I've hated waiting to start. However, if you can wait, then I'd wait, because that is a huge gap in costs. I wouldn't get loans to go there because of the cost. Just if you have the funding ability on your own or with scholarships. Seems a lot of money for an ADN.

jonear2, RN · Apr 20, 2006

Um, a couple of questions...Is this an ADN program? It seem like a big expense for ADN. Are you paying out of pocket or with grant/loans? Might be easier to pay back the CC loans than the big money if so. What is the NCLEX pass rate at each school? Expense doesnt always equal quality. My community college got much higher pass rates for NCLEX than the 3 (!) universities in the area, also was the ONLY nationally accredited institution out of the 4. My tuition was less than 2K per semester, so not a bad deal really. If the school is on an island, would you also have to pay for housing???

And just curious but is that the same Ross University that has a veterinary program. If so I worked for a vet while I was in school who went there and loved it. Just curious.

VickyRN, MSN, DNP, RN · Apr 21, 2006

Big question: Is this an accredited school of nursing in which graduates can practice nursing in your state and accepted by your state board of nursing?

gojrowe · Apr 21, 2006

yeah, it is the same guy. He has a veterinary and a medical school, and this is his thirds school. Its seems like a really cool program, but I agree, its a lot of money. It is an ADN program.

Any suggestions on good schools with no waiting lists?